August 16, 2024
Faculty members recognized as "Great Teachers" at ArtCenter College of Design summer commencement
A maker’s maker, Product Design faculty Joseph Kohnke, will receive ArtCenter College of Design’s full-time faculty Great Teacher Award and deliver the commencement address at the College’s summer graduation ceremony on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Pasadena Convention Center. Following the private ceremony, which will also be livestreamed at artcenter.edu, the approximately 144 graduating students will exhibit their work at Grad Show, a free public showcase open to the public from noon–5 p.m. in the convention center’s adjacent Exhibit Hall A.
Kohnke is well-known to the ArtCenter community from his long tenure in the College’s Model Shop, where he both advised and taught students how to use the equipment. He’s also known for his habit of making small whimsical giveaways for various occasions. During the pandemic, he introduced the world to the treehouse he built, which he used as his work-from-home studio. Nominating students emphasized his enthusiasm and support, noting that he “trusted me to complete my project even when I thought it was impossible” and that he would “do everything in his power to help you succeed.”
The College will also be celebrating Fine Art faculty David Schafer, recipient of the part-time Great Teacher Award. Schafer first taught at ArtCenter in 1998. Over the years, he has served as both part- and full-time faculty and twice served as interim chair of the Fine Art program. In 2014, he founded the College’s Sound Lab, which encourages students to experiment with sound as an element in art and design practices. Students who nominated Schafer were effusive in their praise for his guidance, with one student underlining his “precise and brilliant advice,” and another remarking on his openness and willingness to discuss any topic through his facilitation of “safe, intellectual and warm conversations.” Schafer has received multiple Great Teacher Awards over his 20+ years of teaching at ArtCenter.
ArtCenter first began formally honoring great teachers in 1986. Once a year, recipients are selected by a committee of ArtCenter students following an open nomination process by all students. During the award’s history, instructors from across all departments have been recognized for their significant and life-changing contributions toward student learning.
In addition to Kohnke’s commencement address, graduation ceremony attendees will also hear from Illustration student Ciara Hart, recipient of the Summer 2024 Student Leadership Award, and Film student Aston Davies, the graduating class valedictorian, who will both deliver speeches.
ArtCenter Graduation Events
Summer 2024 Graduation Ceremony
August 17, 2024 | 10 a.m.–noon
Grand Ballroom, Pasadena Convention Center
Ticketed event for friends, family, faculty and staff to celebrate the commencement of our graduating class.
Watch the livestream of the ceremony on artcenter.edu.
ArtCenter Grad Show
August 17, 2024 | Noon–5 p.m.
Pasadena Convention Center | Exhibit Hall A
FREE and open to the public, friends and families.
No RSVP required.
To view all Summer 2024 Graduation Activities, view this event page.
To view the College’s virtual Grad Show representing the achievements of the Class of 2024, please visit gradshow.artcenter.edu.
About ArtCenter College of Design: Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. ArtCenter offers 11 undergraduate and 10 graduate degrees in a wide variety of industrial design disciplines as well as visual and applied arts. Renowned for both its ties to industry and its social impact initiatives, ArtCenter is the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. Throughout the College’s long and storied history, ArtCenter alumni have had a profound impact on popular culture, the way we live, and important issues in our society.
